De Quervain’s Syndrome
De Quervain’s syndrome, colloquially known as “texting thumb” or “gamer’s thumb,” has become increasingly prevalent in recent years as people engage in frequent smartphone use and online gaming. Named after Swiss surgeon Fritz de Quervain, who first identified it in 1895, the condition was historically referred to as “washerwoman’s sprain,” attributed to the repetitive wringing of clothes. Today, this ailment arises from repetitive texting movements and can lead to inflammation of the tendon sheath (tenosynovitis), resulting in pain in the wrist and forearm near the thumb. Left untreated, the discomfort can radiate up the forearm or further into the wrist and thumb, and as friction increases, the tendons may produce a squeaking noise known as crepitus.
Diagnosis of De Quervain’s Syndrome
De Quervain’s syndrome is typically straightforward to diagnose, with the Finkelstein Test being one of the most reliable diagnostic methods. The Finkelstein Test can be conducted easily. Follow these steps:
- Place your thumb against your palm.
- Close your fingers around the thumb to create a fist.
- Bend your wrist away from your thumb.
If you experience pain along the tendons in your thumb during this maneuver, it may indicate De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, warranting consultation with a medical professional.
If you experience pain along the tendons in your thumb during this maneuver, it may indicate De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, warranting consultation with a medical professional.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis primarily affects two thumb tendons: the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB). Inflammation in these tendons can result in swelling, disrupting their smooth gliding motion.
Our Shockwave Treatments
Achilles Tendonitis
Back Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dupuytren’s Disease
Golfer’s Elbow
Gout
Hip Pain
Knee Calcification
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Morton’s Neuroma
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Patellar Tendinitis – Jumpers Knee
Pseudarthrosis
Scar Tissue Treatment
Shoulder Calcification
Shoulder Tendinitis & Bursitis
Stress Fractures
Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis
Therapy for Diabetics with Frozen Shoulder
Trigger Finger
De Quervain’s Syndrome Treatment
Physiotherapy
Thankfully, physiotherapy has proven to be a valuable and non-invasive approach for managing and alleviating the discomfort associated with this ailment.
- Techniques such as ice therapy, ultrasound, and manual lymphatic drainage can help to alleviate swelling and discomfort in the affected area.
- Manual therapy, including soft tissue massage, can help to release tension in the muscles and tendons surrounding the thumb and wrist.
Shockwave Therapy
While Shockwave therapy is a relatively new treatment option that has been shown to be effective in De Quervain’s syndrome, at our clinic we have been using focussed shockwave as a De Quervain’s syndrome treatment for some time. The therapy involves the use of high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. The sound waves help increase blood flow to the area, which can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Shockwave Therapy & De Quervain’s Syndrome Research
There have been few research studies so far into Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for De Quervain’s syndrome, but one recently published in a leading medical journal entitled “The Effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on de Quervain Tenosynovitis; a Clinical Trial” concluded that “Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a safe and easy method to reduce pain, enhance upper extremity functions, and strengthen hand-grip in patients with de Quervain tenosynovitis if accompanied by conservative therapies, such as thumb splint, and the outcomes may be achieved in a shorter time than other treatments used alone. Pain relief is more significantly achieved in this technique, as it may not be effectively observed in other methods alone.”
These studies are in line with our own experience of successfully treating patients with De Quervain’s Syndrome.
We administer EMTT through a handheld device that is placed over the affected area. The treatment is painless and non-invasive, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete. Patients may receive several EMTT sessions over the course of a few weeks, depending on the severity of their symptoms and the extent of their injury.
We are one of the few clinics in the country offering this as a solution to this painful condition and we recommend you book an appointment soon.
EMTT Therapy for De Quervain’s Syndrome
We are now using ElectroMagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) in conjunction with Shockwave therapy as we have found the combination of the two treatments especially effective for dealing with De Quervain’s syndrome.
EMTT is a non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. EMTT works by generating electromagnetic fields that penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. These fields can stimulate the production of growth factors and other signalling molecules that promote tissue repair and regeneration.
EMTT can also help reduce pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow and reducing the activity of pain receptors in the affected area.
One of the major advantages of EMTT is that it is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any medication or surgery. This makes it a safe and convenient treatment option for patients who are looking for a non-invasive alternative to more invasive treatments.
ABOUT SHOCKWAVE CLINICS
Shockwave Clinics Ltd is the leading shockwave clinic in London and the UK with the most advanced and comprehensive range of shockwave and complimentary technologies, including magneto transduction therapy and radio frequency.
For over 10-years we have been using Focused Shockwave to treat numerous muscular problems caused by sports injuries as well as back pain, problems caused by invasive surgery and simple old age.